Iran’s Nuclear Breakthrough?
[Guest post by DRJ]
The Guardian reports Iran has had a breakthrough in its nuclear weapon program:
“The UN’s nuclear watchdog has asked Iran to explain evidence suggesting that Iranian scientists have experimented with an advanced nuclear warhead design, the Guardian has learned.
The very existence of the technology, known as a “two-point implosion” device, is officially secret in both the US and Britain, but according to previously unpublished documentation in a dossier compiled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian scientists may have tested high-explosive components of the design. The development was today described by nuclear experts as “breathtaking” and has added urgency to the effort to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis.”
Despite this report, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs seemingly hasn’t even been briefed on the subject:
“[Fox News correspondent Major] Garrett: Two publications, the Guardian and the Weekly Standard, are both reporting about IAEA possession of documents that suggest Iran has tested what they called an advanced nuclear warhead, or a two-point implosion device, and has brought this to the attention of the Iranians in the most recent conversations not only about trying to find out if they’re in favor or not in favor of the low-enriched uranium transfer to Russia, but about this apparent new technology breakthrough. And also, they suggest that the intelligence committees in the House and the Senate have been briefed about this.
I’m curious. Is the White House aware of this? Is it concerned about it in any way, shape or form?
Gibbs: Let me check with NSC on that. I don’t have anything on that. (The NSC staff informed Fox later it would have no comment at all on this matter)”
Where is Iran’s nuclear weapon program on the Obama Administration’s list of priorities? It’s pretty clear that talking to Iran is high on the list but are the details of Iran’s weapon program even on their radar?
— DRJ
The existence of two-point implosion devices isn’t all that secret; there’s a decent explanation on Wikipedia. Whether it’s officially secret or not is another question, of course; has the formula for blackpowder ever been taken off the Official Secrets list in Britain?
Eric Wilner (3936fd) — 11/6/2009 @ 7:49 pmAny sci/tech info in the Grauniad’s news sections should be taken with a grain of salt. If it relates to nuclear tech, it should be taken with an entire salt lick.
It should come as no surprise that the Iranians are working on implosion devices. I’ve suspected for quite a while now that the uranium-enrichment business was largely a smokescreen, and that they were really working on a plutonium project out of public view.
Those sanctions Russia will support any minute now because Obama removed Eastern Europe missile defense will come to the rescue. I believe Myron told us that.
Speaking of Russia any chance they’ve supplied this technology to Iran?
Gerald A (a66d02) — 11/6/2009 @ 7:50 pmEverybody knows you have to design an advanced nuclear warhead before you can proceed with a peaceful nuclear power program.
What’s the big deal?
daleyrocks (718861) — 11/6/2009 @ 8:01 pmAt least Israel is taking this seriously.
JD (88ca98) — 11/6/2009 @ 8:10 pmWhere is Iran’s nuclear weapon program on the Obama Administration’s list of priorities?
Well, the current White House administration of “Goddamn America” is too busy excoriating Honduras for not playing nice-nice with ex-president Manuel Zelaya.
Mark (411533) — 11/6/2009 @ 10:23 pmI do need to point out that something being reported in the Grauniad is akin to it being reported in the LA Times …
Alasdair (205079) — 11/7/2009 @ 12:06 amWhere is Iran’s nuclear weapon program on the Obama Administration’s list of priorities?
Obama has only one priority – make sure people see him as cool. It’s the image that is important.
MU789 (897b57) — 11/7/2009 @ 4:49 amWhere is Iran’s nuclear weapon program on the Obama Administration’s list of priorities?
Iran’s just “a small country” Bush was foolish to worry about, said Obmamarx.
Matador (e01f85) — 11/7/2009 @ 5:15 amEverything other than health care is on the back burner right now, whether it’s Iran, Iraq, Afganistan, the tragedy at Fort Hood, or even the economy. If Iran were to nuke Manhattan tomorrow, he’d express “serious concern” about the action but stall on any military action until his “robust public option” made it through Sentate-House reconciliation.
Sean P (50f5d9) — 11/7/2009 @ 7:24 amThere’s so little news here that it’s hard to tell what, exactly, has happened. In general, two-point special weapons designs (there are several) are … (stopping fingers) … they could be well on the way to “backpack nukes” or they could have built an explosive lens, detonated it, and discovered that it’s trickier than it looks to get a useful implosion. We just don’t know — and that may be good. Don’t tell them what they did wrong, kind of thing.
I suspect that the displayed ignorance is that, though, not deception.
htom (9a087f) — 11/7/2009 @ 8:34 am